Quad City Open: Infield Analysis

January 30, 2015

By Rob Allison
Prep Baseball Report Iowa

The Prep Baseball Report Iowa's final event in 2014- the Quad City Open- took place on Sunday December 14^th at the Ambrose Dome in Davenport, IA. 53 prospects strutted their stuff in front of over 20 collegiate programs in attendance. Over the next several days the PBR Scouting staff will roll out position-by-position rankings of the event, culminating with the Top Ten Overall Prospects from the showcase.

Click Here to view the statistical performances from the event.

We also broke down the Top Tools of the event. Click Here to view the Top Tools based on various commonly used scouting criteria for analyzing prospects.

Davenport Assumptions Connor Lindaman takes top honors in Corner Infield category. Lindaman's combination of size, strength, footwork, and ultimately his bat allowed him to stand-out. The right-handed hitting first baseman recently made his college decision; committing to the University of Iowa in January.

North Dakota product Zach Walz took top honors in the middle infield category. Walz, who was recently selected North Dakota player of the year by MaxPreps, showed the most well-rounded game with a solid bat, accurate arm, and upper echelon ability on defense. Walz is currently uncommitted. I would assume not for long.

Let’s take a look at the top infield prospects broken into middle infield and corner infield categories from this December’s Quad City Open.

top corner prospects

1. Connor Lindaman, 1B/RHP, Davenport Assumption, 2016
6-foot-5, 240-pound 2-way player. 7.53 60 time. Extra large physical build. Starts open with slight leg kick trigger. Load can be deep at times but gets on plane shows ability to get to and drive through baseballs. Shows projectable plus power to the pull side of field with 92 mph exit velocity off tee. Moves extremely well at first base. Light on feet and ability to make assorted plays. Was receiving substantial interest from colleges for football. Shows 82 mph arm strength across infield. Long loose high ¾ arm slot with slight wrap on backside. Stays inline to home and shows ability to repeat 3 pitches for strikes. Recent commitment to U. of Iowa to play baseball. High Follow due to athleticism for size, projectable power, and ability to drive in runs in the future.

2. Nick Foster, 3B, Galesburg, 2015
6-foot, 162-pound right-handed hitting third baseman hits from a balanced setup, slight wrap during load, short stride, above average bat speed, gets extension, line drive from gap-to-gap. Defensively, 78 mph with carry across the diamond from short, loose, high ¾ arm slot. Showed soft hands, quick footwork, clean exchanges through the baseball, second/third base profile. Ran a 7.72 60 yard dash.

top mif prospects

1. Zachary Walz, SS/OF/RHP, Grand Forks Central (ND), 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting utility player. Solid build with strong lower half. 7.12 60 time. Open stance with stride into long base. Swing is long at times causing slight uphill bat plane and contact on bottom half of ball. Does show good hand-eye coordination and has ability to get barrel to ball. Good strength in swing with 84 mph exit velocity off tee. Super utility defender with ability to play in outfield and infield. A lot of value with ability to play multiple positions well along with future hitting ability. Arm works in outfield. Ability to throw from different angles and hands are soft at shortstop. Feet work and has good short burst speed to cover infield. Outfield velocity of 84 mph. Infield velocity of 81 mph. Typical quality position player who can get on mound and be competitive. Balanced compact delivery with long arm action. Fastball is 80-82 mph with run for strikes. Breaking ball is hard with 11/5 shape and plus pitch when shown in bottom of zone. Changeup shows late 2-seam action and has decent feel for pitch.

2. Tyler Roeder, SS, Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 2016
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting shortstop. Lean athletic body. 7.28 60 time. Slightly open athletic stance with balance. Above average strength in bat. Ability to get barrel to baseball with solid contact skills. 86 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively plays low to the ground with good actions. Solid glove and throws from high ¾ slot with plus accuracy and carry. 86 mph across infield. Roeder is a High Follow for D1’s as he progresses through his junior year of high school.

3. Ryan Morrissey, 2B/MIF, Pleasant Valley, 2017
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Physical 2017 grad with lower half strength. 7.35 60 time. Creates good bat speed and shows quality hand-eye coordination in swing. When timing is right drives ball as well as any 2017 grad gap to gap. Good separation after contact. 91 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows soft hands fielding. High 3/4 –OT arm slot with carry and accuracy. Projects with bat and body as third baseman in future. 78 mph arm strength across infield.

4. Ben Tegeler, MIF, Morrison, 2016
5-foot-10, 155-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder hits from a slightly open setup, hands load back and up smoothly, short stride, slight leg kick, utilizes lower half in swing. Short, slightly uphill bat path produced line drives from gap-to-gap, 78 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 70 mph across the diamond from long, high ¾ arm slot with some accuracy. Average hands fielding the baseball, waits on the ball breaking down to field instead of fielding through the ball with momentum moving towards the target. Ran a 7.27 60 yard dash.

5. Gregory Bennett, 2B/MIF, Western Dubuque, 2017
5-foot-9, 150-pound middle infielder. 7.32 60 time. Tall open stance with slight leg kick trigger. Translates weight well through contact. Shows upper level ability to make solid contact with gap to gap approach. Has bat speed with 85 mph exit velocity off tee. Shows soft hands with requisite ability to make routine plays. Long arm action with limited use of front side of throws. Moves better to glove side in making plays. With defensive adjustments shows ability to be high follow prospect as an infielder with very projectable bat.

6. Brandon Kovach, SS/RHP, Muscatine, 2016
5-foot-9, 165-pound 2-way player. Solid athletic build. 7.15 60 time. Good rhythm in box with ok balance. Load is deep creating arm bar. Shoots balls to all fields when he stays on and through at contact. Average bat speed along with an 82 mph exit velocity off tee. Long over-the-top arm action at shortstop. Works through ball well with solid glove and feet. Shows above average range to glove side and ability to throw from multiple angles. Excellent footwork on body control plays. 79 mph arm strength across diamond. Inconsistent balance point on mound. Herky rhythm and body control. Shows ability as position player to translate over to mound and be able to play catch and throw strikes. Uses two arm slots- O/T and sidearm on fastball. Shows athletic ability defensively; will be Followed closely into his senior year.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Alec Capshaw, 3B, Davenport Central, 2016
5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. Muscular frame with present strength and quick twitch actions. 7.04 60 time. Creates rhythm in load and initiates swing from mid-low hand set. Leg kick trigger into long stride. Hard contact with pull approach. Creates some lift in swing. Average actions in field. Actions are stiff at times. Makes routine plays in field. 73 mph arm strength across diamond.

Matt Goebel, 2B/MIF, Davenport West, 2015
5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. 7.78 60 time. Wide base with strong lower half. Deep load with front to back load with body to create rhythm in swing. Swing plane is uphill with 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Fields with confidence. Quiet steady action in field. Shows ability to consistently make routine plays. Accurate throws across diamond from stiff ¾ arm slot. 70 mph arm strength from shortstop.

Brendan Gogulich, 2B/MIF, Davenport Central, 2018
5-foot-5, 135-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Small build. 7.6 60 time. Wide base. Pre-set hand load with short slashy line drive swing plane through contact. Stays on and through contact well for player his age. 70 mph exit velocity off tee. Short arm action with second baseman actions in field. Tends to funnel ground balls into body. Made accurate throws across diamond. Will continue to develop as he matures physically. 63 mph arm strength across infield.

Colton Hamand, SS/RHP, Central Springs, 2016
5-foot-10, 180-pound 2-way player. 8.29 60 time. Average build. Open stance with stiff swing mechanics. Uphill swing plane through contact with short finish. Is able to create bat speed in swing. 83 mph exit velocity. Short arm action on throws. Works down to up with soft hands. Good use of front side and following throws across diamond. 69 mph arm strength across. Short high ¾ arm action with some hand speed. Tends to fall down mound on delivery. Fastball in 70-73 mph range. Changeup was thrown with above average fade and good feel for location. Breaking ball had 12/6 shape with gradual break. Was able to keep 3 pitches around the zone.

Logan Hamann, 2B/MIF, North Scott, 2015
5-foot-10, 165-pound right-handed hitting middle infielder. Loose projectable body. 7.37 60 time. Wide base. Barrel loses angle as hand drift down before initiating swing. Hits against stiff front side after contact limiting weight shift. Makes consistent solid contact with 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Looks comfortable making plays in field. Good feet and glove. Quality exchange to throwing hand and makes accurate throws across from short high ¾ arm action. Has athletic actions and shows ability defensively. 77 mph arm strength across diamond.

Noah Harlan, OF/MIF, Knoxville, 2018
6-foot-1, 130-pound lanky switch-hitting outfielder was better from the right side. Right-handed hits from a wide base, leg kick stride, 67 mph exit velocity. Left-handed stance is crouched lower, uphill bat path, 68 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 62 mph from the outfield from long, high ¾ arm slot, stabs down in back of arm swing, starting and stopping arm action. At shortstop, also threw 62 mph across the diamond from same slot. Ran an 8.19 60.

Nicholas Houzenga, RHP/3B, Muscatine, 2016
6-foot, 195-pound 2-way player. 7.5 60 time. Square physical build. Balanced in the box. Pre-set hands with no load. Low hand set with flat line drive swing plane through contact. Swing will work uphill at times with low hand set. Pull approach. 78 mph exit velocity off tee. Long over-the-top arm action. Throws show carry at 76 mph. Average actions and foot speed. Shows ability to make routine. Strong lower half on mound. O/T slot with occasional shoulder tilt creating downhill plane on fastball. Shows online delivery with short leg kick. Occasional quality spin on breaking ball. Overall has projectable arm strength. Fastball was 80-84 mph; Breaking ball was 64-66 mph; did not throw a changeup. Houzenga will be followed over the spring and summer with physical build and present arm strength.

Jacob Hubanks, 3B, Dubuque Hempstead, 2015
6-foot, 195-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. 8.1 60 time. Strong physical build. Open stance with average bat speed. Tends to guide barrel through zone. Aggressive in load and actions. Wants to hit. Shifts weight through contact with gap to gap approach. 82 mph exit velocity. Long ¾ arm action slot. Tends to field flat footed and relies on arm to make plays. Hands are solid and playable with average range on left side of diamond. 73 mph arm strength across.

Cameron Leff, RHP/SS, Mt. Zion, 2016
6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed pitcher/shortstop impressed with his arm on the mound and hitting ability. Hits from a wide base, no stride, hands load back smoothly, short level bat path, gets extension, advanced approach at the plate produced line drives to all fields, with well above average 86 mph exit velocity. Showed arm strength across the diamond with carry from shortstop, 78 mph. Hands fit more on the corner infield spots. On the mound, fastball sat 82-84 mph with arm side run when down in the zone. 67-69 mph curveball flashed 111/5 shape, late break when down in the zone. 69-71 mph changeup flashed arm side run when in the zone. Leff has a live arm, but missed to his arm side and struggled command wise at times, due to rushing. Long, high ¾ arm slot, slight hook in the back of arm swing, toe down at balance point, shoulders work slightly uphill in delivery, lands slightly closed. Ran a 7.47 60 yard dash, slipping at the start. Leff has plenty of arm strength, and is a prospect to watch closely the next two years in Illinois.

Noah McCreary, 2B/RHP, Davenport West, 2018
5-foot-10, 145-pound 2-way player. 7.43 60 time. 2018 switch-hitter. Shows more repeatable swing from left side. Hands stay inside ball better with more solid contact middle-pull parts of the field. 77 mph exit velocity off tee. Defensively shows tentative actions at times. Flashes correct footwork with a solid glove. Lacks strength, typical of a freshman, but has solid mechanics with a chance to continue to improve. Long sweeping ¾ arm action on the mound. Wide fastball range from 72-78 mph. Shows balance and body control in delivery. Lands slightly open with ok extension and hand speed. Will continue to develop with maturity and increased work load in weight room.

Joe Morrison, RHP/3B, Muscatine, 2018
5-foot-9, 140-pound 2-way player. 8.28 60 time. 71 mph exit velocity off tee. Wide base with minimal load. Swing is uphill with below average bat speed. Need for increased strength. Long high ¾ arm action across infield. Average glove and feet on ground balls. 70 mph arm strength across diamond. Long loose arm action from high ¾ slot. Circle tends to shorten from ear occasionally. Collapse at balance point causing shoulder tilt and throwing uphill. Ability to throw strikes with 3 pitches. Freshman who will continue to develop with maturity and added strength.

Sam Perlin, RHP/3B, Vernon Hills, 2016
6-foot, 175-pound strong right-handed hitting right-handed pitcher/third baseman hits from a balanced setup, long stride leg kick stride, uphill bat path produced 79 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 78 mph across the diamond from shortstop from long, high ¾ arm slot with accuracy and carry. Profiles better at third base. Ran a 7.51 60. On the mound, Fastball sat 71-75 mph, touching 76 from long, over-the-top slot, slight stab in the back of arm slot, tall-and-fall type delivery, some effort, shoulders work downhill, lower half opens up early, stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square. Also threw a 60-65 mph curveball and a 63-66 mph changeup.

Cole Perrenoud, 3B, Western Dubuque, 2017
6-foot, 175-pound right-handed hitting third baseman. 8.0 60 time. Square slightly crouched stance. Deep load with arm bar causing slight uphill swing plane. Solid contact with minimal weight shift through swing at contact. 71 mph exit velocity off tee. Long low ¾ arm action across infield. Average actions with feet and glove. 67 mph arm strength across infield.

Marshall Rice, RHP/3B, Geneseo, 2017
6-foot-1, 165-pound right-handed hitting third baseman/right-handed pitcher impressed more on the mound with 73-76 mph fastball, topping at 78 mph from short, over-the-top arm slot, hands set high, shoulders stay level throughout delivery, could get more out of lower half, fails to over the rubber at balance point (pick front leg straight up), opens up slightly towards first base side when landing. 58-61 mph curveball showed gradual break, 11/5 shape. 62-66 mph changeup was erratic and up in the zone. Offensively, hits from a tall narrow setup, hands held high, short stride, doesn’t utilize lower half, above average 84 mph exit velocity. Defensively, threw 73 mph across the diamond from short, over-the-top slot with accuracy. Ran a 7.47 60.

Ariel Rivera, 2B/RHP, Pleasant Valley, 2017
5-foot-11, 205-pound 2-way player. 7.85 60 time. Pre-set hands with minimal load and rhythm. Short stride with balance throughout swing. Below average bat speed with solid contact from slight uphill swing plane. 76 mph exit velocity off tee. Average foot speed and actions defensively. Throws from ¾ arm slot with 63 mph arm strength across diamond. Short arm action on mound. Tends to push ball towards plate. Strong lower half. Balance point is good with in line direction to plate. Fastball was 58-65 mph. Curveball was 50-53 mph. Changeup in 53-56 mph range.

Keaton Rommel, OF/1B, Davenport West, 2016
6-foot-3, 205-pound left-handed hitting outfielder/ first baseman. Big strong build. Simple swing mechanics with no load and short stride from medium base. Swing is flat and short to contact. Flashes of strength at contact. Needs to work on rhythm and utilizing leverage and body. Average defensively in outfield; raw throwing mechanics with minimal carry and accuracy. 71 mph outfield arm strength. Average footwork and hands at first base. Is able to make routine plays and shows adequate foot work around bag receiving throws. 66 mph arm strength across infield.

Quad City Open: Infield Analysis

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